Chris Woodworth was appointed on February 19, 2025 by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to fill the seat vacated by Judge Lauren C. Moore, who was elected to the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas on November 5, 2024.   

“I was one of seven to apply for the position and I must admit was totally surprised and elated when the call came in,” he said.

Judge Woodworth’s commitment to service was exemplified during his time as a City Year AmeriCorps member from 2008 to 2010. He earned a Political Science degree from The Ohio State University and his Juris Doctorate from the Cleveland State University College of Law.

Judge Woodworth began his legal career as a solo practitioner in 2014 defending clients in courts across Ohio. Most recently, he served as an assistant prosecutor for Cuyahoga County, handling hundreds of felony prosecutions, including assisting on murder cases with the Major Trial Unit.

Proud to say he’s a fourth generation Clevelander, some of his earliest memories are of working in his grandmother’s store on Lorain Avenue in the West Boulevard neighborhood. Raised by parents who both worked as social workers, Judge Woodworth learned from an early age the value of helping others.

Judge Woodworth took office on March 10, 2025.  After shadowing his colleagues on the bench, the impact of his new job became quite clear.

“I’m not a litigator anymore, I’m a referee and judges must decide cases on what the law dictates,” he said.

When he’s not at work, Judge Woodworth can often be found at Progressive Field enjoying a game or exploring the Cleveland Metroparks.